Viper Engine Mounts

[CeeJay]

Originally Posted by DELAGE

Ceejay I am not an expert on the Cortina set up but any help I can give just give me a shout. Make sure the steering colum is not going to collide with the engine mounting and also check there is plenty of room for your headers, if not modify the foot wells before the engine goes in proper. I have pictures of the correct engine position in relationship to the top & sides of the foot wells if you require them, but of course mine is a Jaguar chassis, get the engine as far back as you can even if it requires putting the battery in the boot. Heater could also go above the passengers side feet right out the way, just some suggestions. I know what it's like building a Viper I've been there Best of luck.

It'll take more than luck with this car!

Thanks for all the help!

CeeJay.

[steamyrotter]

Ceejay.

Good advice there from Leo.
Battery in the back I believe is a must on the RV8 viper not just for space but to get a bit of weight backwards to balance things a little. The heater, if you are crafty, could also fit on the transmission tunnel above the gearbox / bellhousing behind the dash.

Not sure of the clearance on the jag chassis but don't forget to include the gearbox when placing it. I know it sounds silly but it is usually the obvious that get missed. It severely affects the ultimate engine location in the cortina chassis so much that you may need to modify the front cross member slightly to accommodate the lowest possible position.

You will have problems with the steering shaft to the rack and the headers, I believe these may be worse if trying to get a decent side pipe install. Underslungs appear to be slightly easier but there is a couple of potentially tight bends required especially on the front 2 cylinders on the drivers side.

However that said the achievement of sorting it is beyond measure and can be really satisfying.







Or so I keep telling myself

Keep up the progress, you will beat me to the IVA.
Cheers

[CeeJay]

Hi Dean

The gearbox is in and attached to the mill - I had such a bastard of a Job fitting it that theres no way in hell its coming out again! As this is fitted (and secured to the gearbox support) it determine's where the engine will fit (Unless I want to shorten the prop-shaft - and believe me I dont!) so I now just need to sort out the height at which to place the engine.

Thats not as simple as it seems, due to the addition of the blower on my motor. Too low and the lower pulley (which is oversized and drives the blower - see attached pic) catches on the steering rack (Dont think that would be too good an idea!) so the engine needs to be high enough not to catch that. But then the engine needs to be low enough so that the plenum doesnt hit the bonnet. Seems simple enough but of course the body isn't on the chassis so its a case of fit it and hope...

The exhausts I'm relieved to say wont be my problem - I'll employ some otther bugger to sort that out, and as for heaters, I'm in two minds wether to bother with one!

To think it was a toss up over buying a Cobra Rep or a Alfa Spider S4...

Wheres a tardis when you need one?

CeeJay.

[kevchard]

Hi Ceejay
I thought you have a 'proper' top mounted blower? Looking real nice with that lump hanging off the front of the engine.
With our 'non proper' V6 the front pulley fits down behind the Cortina subframe (in the moon shape). At times it looks as if it could be too low, but we had to consider plenum height aswel.
Keep up the enthuiasm
Cheers
Kevin
PS Any more thoughts on Stoneleigh?

[CeeJay]

Originally Posted by kevchard

Keep up the enthuiasm

Sorry but having to re-do the engine mounts a year after you thought you'd ticked that box is a little crushing. I just wonder if any of the previous owners of my cobra had more than two brain cells to rub together. I've spent more time fixing past cock-ups than I have actually building the car.

I'll try and be more enthastic from now on!

Originally Posted by kevchard

PS Any more thoughts on Stoneleigh?

I'f work doesn't interfere then yes, I hope to be there.

CeeJay.

[DELAGE]

Couple of pictures Ceejay of where the RV8 should sit, as you can see you may need to open out the foot Wells a tad I ended up with 46F-54R% weight ratio which is bang on. As I said put the heater in the foot well above the passenger's feet, right out the way, easy to get at, and the wife will need the most heat after all

[steamyrotter]

Originally Posted by CeeJay

I've spent more time fixing past cock-ups than I have actually building the car.

Spoken like a true Viper owner

That lump is a beast.

Leo I think you must have more clearance in your setup re the gearbox rear mount, that lets you move the whole lot back a bit more than ours?

Sounds like Ceej's is in roughly the same location as mine. I couldn't get it back any farther as the rear of the gearbox is 1/4 off the chassis.

If so Ceej then you will need the MINIMUM clearance you can get at the front cross member to ensure the plenum fits under the bonnet. I have 5mm at the front member and this allows approx 10-15mm clearance to the bonnet. Bit tight but it's in.

The other thing is wrt the body and tub arrangement. Have you got the moulded in round tunnel tub? (I can't remember!) If so there may be more trouble ahead mate.
I had to cut the inner tub out and raise the body to get it to sit at the correct height once the suspenion was levelled. (front was dragging the ground!! and the bonnet rested on top of the engine with 3" gap around it!!) this has caused more then the odd challenge.

Kev was lucky with his so mine may be a one off, as all vipers are apparently!
I think a lot has to do with the way you have the suspension setup and what day and time your body was "built".......

However don't get too wrapped up in it as there is always a way to sort things as i can testify.

And most of mine are cheap..........Cue Kev

[CeeJay]

Yup I have a moulded in round tunnel tub and with your comments above ringing in my ears (or should that be eyes?) I think I'll just nip out and shoot myself...

CeeJay

[steamyrotter]

Don't panic too much mate.

It doesn't take long to get it like this:-

[kevchard]

Originally Posted by steamyrotter

Spoken like a true Viper owner



And most of mine are cheap..........Cue Kev

Hi Dean
Well you have got lucky what with Purple AKs huge stock of spares (now filling up your garage instead) and your engineering mate part building your car in his workshop

Ceejay
All i can say is stick with it, but if you bought a proper V6 it may have fitted properly (i'll get my coat and bullet proof armour on).

Cheers
Kevin